First 2023 Dubai World Cup Carnival meet kicks off at Meydan on Friday

Group 2 of the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 officiates the opening meeting of the 2023 Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan Racecourse on Friday.

The $250,000 race, held over the mile, has drawn the maximum field of 16, including the first four home riders in last year’s race – Golden Goal, Secret Ambition, Kafoo and Thegreatcollection.

Golden Goal is one of five runners sent on by seven-time UAE champions coach Doug Watson.

Sam Hitchcock sat on the nine-year-old Dark Angel gelding but with stable jockey Pat Dobbs suspended he has chosen to partner stablemate Prince Eiji, winner of the Listed Dubai Creek Mile five weeks ago.

The Dubawi gelding finished ahead of several runners he faces on Friday including Watson’s Everfast, Thegreatcollection and Golden Goal.

Pat Cosgrave rides Golden Goal while Oscar Chavez on Everfast, Richard Mullen on Thegreatcollection and Danny Tudhope on Midnight Sands take the back-up vehicle, completing a potent looking quintet for the Red Stables.

“We learned a lot tactically from Prince Eiji at the Creek Mile as he couldn’t take the lead but accelerated well from the pace and stayed in touch,” said Watson.

“We always planned to ride a few as we are lucky enough to have a good team at Dirt Miles and they all go there in good shape. Hopefully they can all walk well.”

race card

6pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 – Group 1 (PA) $50,000 (Dirt) 1,600M
6.35pm: Dubai Racing Club Classic – Handicap (TB) $100,000 (D) 2,410 million
7.10pm: Dubawi Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200M
7:45 p.m.: Jumeirah Classic Trial – Conditions (TB) $150,000 (Turf) 1,400 million
8:20 p.m.: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 – Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (D) 1,600 m
8:55 p.m.: Fort Al Fahidi – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,400 million
9.30pm: Ertijaal Dubai Dash – Listed (TB) $100k (T) $1k

Second and third last year, Secret Ambition and Kafoo both represent Bhupat Seemar, along with another duo from Zabeel Stables in Desert Peace and Discovery Island.

Tadhg O’Shea partners with Secret Ambition, which he piloted to both the Group 3 Firebreak Stakes and Group 2 Godolphin Mile in 2021 but has been without a win since.

Desert Wisdom, winner of last year’s Burj Nahaar in Group 3, Capezzano, winner of Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge 2019 Round 3, and Daniyah, runner-up in Group 3 of last season’s Jebel Ali Mile and Dubai Creek Mile all add further intrigue added to what appears to be a crack renewal.

The main support race and turf feature is the 1,400m Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort, a race where Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby is aiming for his fifth success in six years.

He saddles both Group 3 Jersey Stakes winner Noble Truth, the mount of William Buick, with James Doyle in the saddle aboard stable companion Al Suhail.

“Noble Truth hasn’t raced since Royal Ascot but I’ve been happy with his preparation,” said Appleby.

“Whatever he does on Friday, I would expect it to be a little bit better after that.

“Al Suhail is in good form at Meydan and is in good shape. He has a wide draw to overcome but his preparation has also gone well and this is probably his ideal journey these days.”

Switzerland won the Group 1 Golden Shaheen, the 1,200m dirt sprint on the Dubai World Cup map last year and he is among 11 to compete in the Group 3 Dubawi Stakes against the starter.

“He seems to be in good shape and we’re hoping for a great run in his optimal conditions,” said Satish Seemar of the nine-year-old Speightstown gelding.

Updated Jan 06, 2023 3:59 am

race card